they hope to have more gun buybacks in the new year as well. >> the deadline for avoiding the fiscal cliff is getting closer. president obama says he is optimistic. >> time is running out. congress needs to reach an agreement to prevent the country from going over the fiscal cliff with the deadline just days away. president obama said in his weekly address that reaching a deal will not be easy. politics can get in the way. >> we just cannot afford a politically self-inflicted wound to our economy. the economy is growing. keeping it that way means that the folks to send to washington have to do their jobs. >> senator mitch mcconnell was seen arriving on capitol hill hours after congressional leaders met with obama. >> we will be working hard to see if we can get there in the next 24 hours. i'm hopeful and optimistic. >> missouri senator ray blunt says that politicians on both sides have irresponsibility, but tax hikes will not do much to address the nation's debt. >> it will not pay one-third of the annual interest now on this massive $16 trillion debt. >> the house returns to washing